- Miles Government investment of almost $1.4 million through the Touring Queensland Fund is supporting 10 organisations tour high-quality arts and cultural experiences into communities across the state.
- Supported touring will activate communities and engage audiences with visual arts exhibitions, classical music, literature, children's theatre, and also support a project supporting Indigenous languages preservation in the Torres Strait.
- Funding is enabling four multi-year touring programs, five successful applicants based in regional communities, and $75,000 to support a regionally-based tour management and co-ordination Industry Placement.
The Miles Government has today announced a total investment of nearly $1.4 million over two years will support the touring of vibrant and diverse arts and cultural experiences to dozens of communities across Queensland.
Ten recipients will be funded to deliver visual and performing arts experiences across the state, from Badu Island to Brisbane and inland to Boulia, including up to $75,000 to support an Industry Placement based in the North Burnett region to develop skills in tour management.
Investment through the Touring Queensland Fund will support a range of high-quality arts and cultural programs, including tours of nine independent music productions to 19 venues state-wide.
Southern Cross Soloists will tour its Sunset Soirée Recital Series to seven regional locations, featuring celebrated Queensland pianist Max Foster and emerging musicians, while Flying Arts Alliance will mount a travelling showcase of up to 54 works by regionally-based artists to Cairns, Charters Towers, Moranbah, Charleville and Chinchilla.
Grin & Tonic Theatre in collaboration with award-winning Wagadagum artist Jimi Bani will produce The Language Project for touring to remote locations in the Torres Strait, elevating local storytellers, connecting community to national artists and preserving local languages.
Internationally renowned Topology will produce arts projects that encourage locals to share and present their unique stories in 35 diverse communities state-wide; and Somerset Storyfest will hit the road to deliver two-day writers festivals in Longreach, St George and Emerald.
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair will bring its inaugural tour, Big Sculpture, to the Brisbane Powerhouse, Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery and Logan Art Gallery; and North Burnett artist Cilla Pershouse will deliver an innovative, dynamic theatre mentoring program and performance showcase for children in 11 remote communities across Queensland.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch:
"When Queenslanders are able to access arts and cultural opportunities, in their own regions, the impact can be remarkable.
"That's why our government is investing nearly $1.4 million through this latest round of the Touring Queensland Fund.
"Multi-year and Industry Placement funding will support sustainable careers and skills development to ensure our arts and cultural sector is ready to showcase our stories on a global stage when we welcome the world to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"Today's announcement delivers on Grow 2022-2026, the second action plan of Creative Together 2020-2030: A 10-Year Roadmap for arts, culture and creativity in Queensland, which is supported by State Government investment of $50 million over four years."
Quotes attributable to Wagadagum artist Jimi Bani, and Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe Artistic Director Jason Klarwein:
"We are so proud to be launching The Language Project in the Torres Strait on Thursday Island in 2024.
"This project is the culmination of 10 years of collaboration between us as Queensland artists. Maintaining and empowering language with cultural protocols has been at the heart of all the works we have made together, and we are so excited to be building a grassroots project that will embrace and collaborate with local talent to give ownership to story and language for artists and audiences.
"This is a small but ambitious step on the way to more amazing Queensland storytelling and a great step for the Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe who celebrates 50 years serving the state of Queensland."
The Touring Queensland Fund provides communities across Queensland with access to high-quality arts and cultural touring experiences and supports arts companies to grow audiences state-wide.
